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South America Traverse Itinerary

See the best of South America on this comfort trip from Lima to Rio. From the allure of the Amazon and the wonders of Machu Picchu to the delights of Mendoza and the might of Iguazu, this journey will no doubt be a trip of a lifetime.

Day 1 Lima

Embark on a walking tour through the historical section of Lima with a local guide. Discovering the colonial beauty, ornate churches and buzzing cafe culture is a great way to start this South American adventure.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 1

Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle

Swap a plane for a motorised canoe on the journey into the Amazon. Stay in an eco-friendly lodge and balance time between relaxing in among the forest green and going on exploratory walks with local guides to witness the flora and fauna of this enchanting region.

ACCOM:
Jungle Lodge - 2

Days 4-5 Cuzco

Get to know the city of Cuzco on a guided tour, checking out the Coca Museum, the San Pedro Market, the endless colonial buildings and some closer Inca ruins.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Day 6 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo

Situated in the lush Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo is home to an ancient Inca town and is a great place to learn more about the intricacies of Inca history. Visit a community on the way here to get a deeper insight into the local culture.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 1

Day 7 Aguas Calientes

Travel to Aguas Calientes on a scenic train journey that follows the flow of the Urubamba River. If so inclined, take advantage of the town's name sake - a dip in one of the glorious hot springs.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 1

Days 8-9 Machu Picchu/Cuzco

Wake early to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu - a sight that will stay in the memory for a very long time. Be guided through these well-preserved ruins, marvelling at the ingenuity of the builders and the beauty of the spot they chose. After a fascinating morning, return to Cuzco and spend the next day exploring the city further and enjoying its great cafes and night-life.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 10-11 Puno/Lake Titicaca

Travel to Puno, Peru's folklore capital. Take a boat tour of Lake Titicaca, stopping at the Uros floating islands to witness these ingenious creations. Then enjoy an overnight stay in a local community and get to know this unique culture while helping in the kitchen or playing a make-shift game of football. The next morning, journey to Taquile Island before arriving back in Puno.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 12-13 La Paz

Cross from Peru to Bolivia, stopping at the fascinating archaeological site of Tiwanaku on the way to La Paz.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 14-15 Santiago

Catch your flight to Santiago. Spend time getting to know this spirited city, whether wandering through the charming Bella Vista area, taking a cable car up Cerro San Cristobal for wonderful views (weather permitting) or strolling through one of the many parks that are dotted through out the city.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 16-17 Mendoza

Take a bus across the spectacular Andes to Mendoza. Famed for their wine-production, excellent food and remarkable scenery, this is a wonderful place to enjoy the finer things in life.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 18-19 Buenos Aires Estancia Stay

Fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires then take a drive to an estancia on the outskirts of the city. Contribute to the daily chores to learn about life on an estancia or simply relax and breathe in the fresh country air.

ACCOM:
Farmstay - 2

Days 20-22 Buenos Aires

Leave the country behind and return to Buenos Aires - the city that loves to stay up late. Be guided through Buenos Aires on an orientation walk. Then, at your own pace, discover neighbourhoods like Recoleta, San Telmo and La Boca and the museums, parks, cafes and music venues that make this city so alluring.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 3

Days 23-24 Iguazu Falls

See the Iguazu Falls from all angles - boardwalk, boat or even from a helicopter if you feel like splashing out. Go to both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides, and understand why this is one of Argentina's premier attractions. Culture is also on the cards with a visit to one of the few remaining Guarani communities, who were the original inhabitants of the area.

ACCOM:
Hotel - 2

Days 25-27 Rio de Janeiro

Fly to Rio where a bevy of fun, culture and samba beats await. Journey up to the Christ the Redeemer statue for incredible views over the city, take a cable car to Sugarloaf Hill, visit a favela to see another side of the city and soak up the sun on the beaches. There's nowhere as good to shake it up on the dance floor so perhaps go out for a night of boogying or revelling at one of the myriad nightspots Rio is famous for.

Shortlist

South America Traverse Reviews

Jan Harry Roelfsema

Overall we had a great trip and enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the variety of the trip elements appealed to us (jungle, Inca culture and architecture, meet local people, bus and boat tours, big cities and nature, etc).
Another contributing success factor was the competence of our tour leader. Especially Diana is the best tour leader we ever had. She is very passionate and professional, both in content and leadership. She organised everything very well, resulting in a smoothly running trip. Above all she took care of the well-being of each individual of the group (e.g. when some people showed some issues with the altitude). A job well done!